Initiatives like Nissan’s Trainee Production Supervisor Scheme could could save students from years of university fee debt or joining the ranks of the unemployed by giving them workplace experience and a degree, according to the automotive manufacturer.

A Nissan spokesperson told Recruiter: “This year we launched our first Trainee Production Supervisor Scheme, a fast-track managerial training and development course which combines a mixture of on and off the job training both at Nissan and the University of Sunderland where our people work towards a degree in mechanical engineering.

“Our supervisors play a pivotal role in the smooth running of the plant and we recognise that for many, University may not always be accessible. By offering opportunities like this we are presenting people with an option.”

Figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development released this week show that graduate numbers in Britain have slumped dramatically with the proportion of young people attaining a degree at 35%. Britain has fallen to 15th place from 3rd place in 2000 in the league table of graduates.